Power Conditioning: The Next Level - Page 2

Neruda and coolvij, I can understand the doubtful looks I get about ceramic spacers between interconnects, Sorbothane under SACD/CD players, Shakti Stones (yeah, I'm thinking of one of these too), etc., but the quality of power being fed to audio components (and even video components) is one area of "tweaking" that I firmly believe in -- now it's just a question of me finding the right power solutions within my budget. With high quality audio components, what can often be one of the big factors separating the higher end products of a brand from their lower end sibling products in that brand is the quality of the power supplies.

I don't want to spend too much more on my system without first making sure that the very first "component" of my system in the chain -- the power -- is well taken care of. The Brick Wall was a good addition, but I feel strongly that there is significantly more that can be done beyond the Brick Wall. I feel confident -- based on much online reading (Audio Asylum and professional reviews) -- that the solution(s) I've selected within my budget will provide me with what I'm looking for -- I'll let y'all know, of course.

I strongly urge everyone to read some of the reference links I posted (B-P-T's site has a nice summary of the concept, and Equi=Tech's reference reading goes into much more detail). I put many of these articles into my Palm with Coolet, and I find them fascinating reads. Also search for reviews on Audio Asylum from owners. There are some professional reviews on the Web too.

Several top recording studios are using balanced power, and I don't get the impression that the studios buy into some of the more questionable tweaks that audiophiles make. There's solid science in this concept.


Tides, yeah, wait a year or two as, by then, my system will likely have been further improved!


Wing, no I haven't tested the power solutions with any measuring instruments. Well, that's not to say I didn't try, but (and this is no joke) metal oxide varistors emitted a small puff of smoke the last time I tried (not to mention the fact that I tripped one of my home mains circuit breakers) -- don't ask.

But this is something I did do research on, and a good balanced power solution will have measurable, accurate division of power across hot-ground / neutral-ground, hopefully as close to perfect voltage split as possible (one review of a B-P-T unit I read -- in Secret's of Home Theater and Hi-Fi -- showed that the unit split voltage perfectly, resolved to a tenth of a volt).


bootman, I was also looking for something more affordable than the Power Plants. I came this close to selecting the BP-Jr., but was able to make the budget stretch to the BP-3. If I like the BP-3, I may find the BP-Jr. in my office rig.


Yes, I've thought of this too. I just noticed that B-P-T also makes IEC power cords, so I may order one of their 6-footers -- I have at least a question or two about these cords that I'll ask Chris from B-P-T about.


Actually, BenG, I didn't find my Brick Wall choked dynamics at all, but I'm only using it with a dedicated head-fi rig (as opposed to, say, a 500 watt per channel rig with loudspeakers). The Brick Wall is not a balanced conditioner, but is primarily a surge protector that also conditions. Just for the sake of experimentation, I will try the B-P-T Balanced Power Isolator in place of the Brick Wall unit just to see how it sounds without the Brick Wall there, but the intention is to use the Brick Wall for surge protection ahead of the B-P-T (which is why I did not order the optional MOV(metal oxide varistor)-based surge protection circuit for my B-P-T). Of course, I'll let you know what I find.


davidcotton, you'll certainly get no skepticism from me on the importance of good power -- I'm a firm believer. Even my Brick Wall had a positive effect on the lowering of my rig's noise floor, but I am hoping for a dramatically lower noise floor and improved dynamics with balanced power (and I hope my expectations are realistic, which, based on much reading, I think they are). Additionally, Equi=Tech has shown balanced power can reduce digital jitter significantly (it is known -- not just theorized -- that poor power delivery can make digital jitter worse).


Not that I'm actually in the market for such an expensive cable (we're talking like thousands of dollars for this Genghis Khan Limited Edition), but I am waiting to see how the ElectraGlide controversy shapes up on Audio Asylum (if you're wondering what I'm talking about, go to Audio Asylum and search their cable forum for "roysen"). I'm no expert, but I have a hard time accepting that I would ever be able to justify that amount of money on a power cord.


dhwilkin, I agree totally. Again, I decided I don't want to spend any more money on my rig (SACD/CD player, headphone amp, or headphones) until I've taken measures to improve what is, in many ways, the first link in the chain. The more I read, the more I feel that the quality of AC is something most audiophiles neglect. The effects of my Brick Wall were noticeable. Again, I feel quite certain there is a lot more that can be done, and I hope I've found a big step with balanced power -- we'll see.


Chris, I'm glad you joined! It has been fun talking to you about balanced power on the telephone -- thanks for taking the time out of your Friday night (heheh, and Saturday) to discuss it with me.

I have a question about your power cords, by the way -- what kind of shielding is used on them? And can you give more detail about the cords' construction (stranding, etc.)? I may be interested in one for my HeadRoom Max (I just noticed on your web site that B-P-T also makes IEC-terminated power cords for other components).


markl, thanks for the link. Yes, I've seen that before, but I can't find much information on how it works, if it outputs balanced power, what the specs are, etc. If anyone else here knows more about it, I'd be interested in finding out what you know. Admittedly, though, it's more than I want to spend anyway.

Yeah, I knew you were joking, man. And thanks for the links to, and info on, the MIT stuff.

Chris, what is that braided outer covering made of? I can't find the specifics on that on your site.

Okay, I ordered a B-P-T C-7 powercord for my Max (check your e-mail Chris). This is outta control!

Chris, I'm still curious about what the C-7's outer braided covering is made of.

smatt, thanks for the review link. That's one of the reviews I read, and one of the things that convinced me to order the BP-3.

bootman, thanks for those links. Yes, Furman and Cinepro are other units I've seen, but they're still out of my target price range. I think there's a Cinepro unit for sale on Audiogon right now (if it hasn't sold already).